Obama arrives in L.A. amid traffic worries

Let the Obamajam begin: President Obama arrived at Los Angeles International Airport on Wednesday afternoon.

Air Force One landed about 4:30 p.m. and greeted an assembled group on the tarmac.

Advertisement

After disembarking, the President was met by the mayor of Los Angeles, Eric Garcetti, and stopped to pose for pictures with a group of about 20 teenagers and young adults who were waiting for him on the tarmac.

The President had changed out of his Arkansas outfit -- khakis, white and blue checkered shirt, and browns shoes -- and was wearing a suit and tie.

First on President Obama's two-day itinerary is the USC Shoah Foundation's 20th anniversary dinner, which officials warned will require his motorcade to cut through a wide swath of L.A. during rush hour.

But Obama stepped onto a helicopter at LAX, suggesting he was going to avoid roads for at least part of his time in L.A. The pool was headed to a fundraiser.

Tuesday evening, the Los Angeles Police Department, in cooperation with the Secret Service, issued a travel advisory in an attempt to ease the impact of what's already being dubbed "ObamaJam 2014."

Wednesday will see street shutdowns at peak commuter times, from 4 to 6 p.m., in the areas near Motor Avenue and Pico Boulevard, and then to Beverly Glen Road. Also affected will be Santa Monica Boulevard.

From 6 to 8 p.m., the areas near Sunset Boulevard and Beverly Glen, and Santa Monica Boulevard and Avenue of the Stars will be affected.

Obama is scheduled to accept the Ambassador for Humanity Award, the foundation's top accolade, at a ceremony led by USC trustee and founder of the institute Steven Spielberg.

The president will continue his visit with fundraisers for the Democratic National Committee, as well as other events that will take him as far as San Diego. He is set to depart before noon Thursday.

On Thursday, the area near Santa Monica Boulevard and Avenue of the Stars will be affected by closures from 9 to 11 a.m.

As a result of a hard closure along Santa Monica Boulevard between Wilshire Boulevard and Avenue of the Stars, transit officials warned riders about closures on bus routes 4, 16, 316, 704, 20 and 720. They urged commuters to contact Metro in advance for alternatives.